Early Estimate of Motor Vehicle Traffic Fatalities in 2021

A statistical projection of traffic fatalities for 2021 shows that an estimated 42,915 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes nationwide. This represents an increase of about 10.5 percent as compared to 38,824 fatalities reported in 2020. This also represents the highest number of fatalities since 2005 and the highest annual percentage increase in the recorded history of data in the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS). Preliminary data reported by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) show that vehicle miles traveled (VMT) in 2021 increased by about 325.2 billion miles, or about a 11.2-percent increase as compared to 2020. The fatality rate for 2021 was 1.33 fatalities per 100 million VMT, marginally down from 1.34 fatalities per 100 million VMT in 2020. The fatality rates in Q2, Q3 and Q4 have declined, which represents the third consecutive decline in year-to-year quarterly fatality rate since Q4 of 2019. For the NHTSA Region differences, all 10 Regions are estimated to have increases in fatalities, and 3 of the 10 Regions are estimated to have increases in fatality rate per 100 million VMT in 2021 as compared to 2020. Also, most States are projected to have experienced increases. The fatality counts for 2020 and 2021 and the ensuing percentage change from 2020 to 2021 will be further revised as the final file for 2020 and the annual reporting file for 2021 are available later this year.

Language

  • English

Media Info

  • Media Type: Digital/other
  • Features: Figures; Maps; Tables;
  • Pagination: 5p
  • Serial:
  • Publication flags:

    Open Access (libre)

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 01847618
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Report/Paper Numbers: DOT HS 813 283
  • Files: HSL, TRIS, ATRI, USDOT
  • Created Date: May 31 2022 9:16AM